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January - June 2003 These Weekly Thoughts are taken from the Parish's pew sheet called the NOW (News of the Week).
St Peter - 29 June Corpus Christi - 22 June Blessed Trinity - 15 June Pentecost... The Harvest of the Promised Spirit of God - 8 June Drawing the short straw? - 1 June New and Not So New - 25 May Abide in My Love - 18 May Pure,
generous and beautiful? The Church? - The Suffering Messiah - 4 May "My Lord and My God" - 27 April Life's Good - 20 April |
Lifted up for all to see - 6 April Words Words Words - 30 March A Holy Rage - 23 March What's God to do with Anything? - 16 March Holy Lent - 9 March Little Brothers of St Francis - 2 March Every one of God's promises is a "Yes" - 23 February Healing, Preaching and Serving - 9 February Bush Fires - 2 February Australia Day - 26 January God's Initiative - 19 January Participation - 12 January We have come to pay him homage - 5 January
Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2002: Dec - July Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2002: Jan - June Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2001: Dec - July Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2001: Jan - June Previous Weekly Thoughts: 2000 |
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Ezekiel 3:22-27, Acts 12:19-25, Mark 16:13-19 Our first hymn this morning, 'This is the day of new beginnings', captures well the spirit of St Peter whom we celebrate today. Described as impetuous and charismatic, we see him as the example for starting again when things have gone wrong in our lives. Peter, leader of the Apostles, has been venerated from the earliest days of the Church and regarded as its patron and the doorkeeper of heaven. He is usually shown in art holding a bunch of keys. However, we don't venerate Peter for his sake but for ours. In celebrating him we are pointed to the one whom Peter declared to be the Christ. Peter may hold the keys to heaven but it is Jesus who is the Key. It is Jesus who brings to us the Kingdom of heaven. We rejoice that Peter was the one who was the rock on whom Jesus was to build his Church. Fr Glendon |
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1 Samuel 17:32-49, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, Mark 4:35-41 Each year in the liturgical calendar the feast of Corpus Christi follows after Easter, Pentecost and Trinity. Easter and the six meditative weeks dwell upon the biblical records of the Resurrection. This relates to the experience of the individual. We acknowledge that Christ is risen. Pentecost focused upon the coming of the Holy Spirit, upon the body of Christ and the Biblical Birth of the Church. His spirit is with us. Trinity is the festival to think theologically and stretch the mind to comprehend the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as one God. The feast of Corpus Christi is the Church's living in the world sustained by the 'Holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious body and blood of the Son our Saviour Jesus Christ' (Prayer Book, p 115). In actions with symbolic meaning we move toward the appreciation of Sacrament. There are many experiences of awe and wonder which point to the Spirit of God. The feast of Corpus Christi is a significant one. We are the body of Christ. Next Sunday a special invitation to friends new and old who would like to share in Eucharist with Bishop David Murray. He will be present at the 8:00am and 10:30am services in St John's and will be at St Peter's on the 11 January 2004. Fr Dennis |
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Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 God bestowed many blessings on his creation in every age, but we will not find any of them being ascribed to the Father alone, or to the Son, or to the Spirit. All have their source in the Trinity. Trinity Sunday celebrates not a new truth, something else beyond Pentecost, but rather what we see when the excitement and drama of Pentecost has made its mark. It may be where we find ourselves when, having been swept off our feet by a rushing mighty wind, we get up, dust ourselves down, and survey our new surroundings. What is needed or called for now? Isaiah was overcome with guilt, individual and corporate, at seeing the unseeable thrice-holy God. Nicodemus came by night so that he may not lose his influence in the exulted quarters in which he moved. His compliments to Jesus were swept aside. What Nicodemus really needed was a new start, new life. Jesus came to save, so that whoever believes on him may share in his eternal life. The Father recreated us through the Son, but it is the Spirit who gives life. We can trust ourselves to it and be carried by its impulse and to whatever promotes, love, joy and peace. Blessed Trinity. Robyn Mackie |
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Pentecost ... The Harvest of the Promised Spirit of God Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:22-27, John 15:26-27, 4b-15 The second chapter of St Luke's Book of the Acts of the Apostles tells of the Hebrew Harvest Festival during which the Holy Spirit "descended" upon the Apostles, the messengers of The Way of Jesus Christ. Do note our readings. They help with some explanations. Ezekiel's Holy Spirit of God, like the four winds, must be allowed into our sinews and bones to revive us, souls repenting and upstanding with hearts of flesh and not of stone! The psalmist sees Creation itself, even the astounding crocodile of the Nile (the poet's "Leviathon"), and nature's food from the sea, evoke spiritually honest praise and glory not to man but to God. Paul, on the other hand, would have his Christians snap out of the pessimism and complaining which seems to consume the world on a bad day! There's more to life. The Holy Spirit of God prays for, and wills, our redemption and adoption of us as His Saints. The Gospel? Jesus tells his disciples (apostles in training) that the visual show of God is over. The Advocate, the defender and supporter of God's Kingdom, the Holy Spirit, soon will be around to testify on Christ's behalf. With that truth and power they and we can testify to Christ as Saviour. At Pentecost, then, we are told there were unmistakeable signs in an attention-grabbing scene in a windswept room full of men inspired with conviction and on fire with the urgent news of Redemption for all believers. Ezekiel would have been full of admiration! Not a dry bone in the house! Fr Robin |
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Acts 1:15-17, 21-26, 1 John 5:9-13, John 17:6-19 In choosing someone to replace Judas, Matthias and Justus were seen to be equally worthy candidates and so lots were cast and Matthias was chosen. This is interesting theologically. They saw leaving the choice to chance as leaving it to God to decide! In the tradition of the Church there are three conversions. The first is based on Jesus saying 'follow me' and the disciples joyfully doing so. The second, 'take up your cross and follow me' involved hardship and suffering. The third comes from the man in the tomb saying 'He is not here!' This is the conversion to living in the absence of Christ, post Ascension. This is the conversion to living in the world governed by chance rather than by God's intervening to arrange such things as vacant parking spots for us! We balance this concept of living without God with living in the presence of the Holy Spirit who bears witness to Jesus being the one who, through his life, death and resurrection, brings to us all of God's blessings. Matthias was chosen to be another witness to the resurrection. We too are to be witness to the life giving presence of Jesus. Not pandering to our wants, but meeting our spiritual needs. Fr Glendon |
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Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, John 15:9-17 Friends of St John's is a group formed by the late Dr. Baker to be "Church minders" and offer hospitality to visitors. The faithful band of people who have helped out over the years has a new lease of life thanks to the efforts of Betty and Brian Solosy. In response to the recent thefts and vandalism in St. John's, the Church was closed for the first time in its history. The call for new friends means that about 30 people on roster will once again enable the Church to be open between 10am and 3pm on Thursdays and Fridays. We are calling on new and not so new people to consider a couple of hours each month of Church minding. Perhaps you know of friends who may also help out to keep this historic Church open for the people of the city to pray. New and not so new people are also asked to consider worshipping at the mid week services in both St John's and Palmyra. Teaching, preaching, intercession and discussion at Freo coffee shops follows the services. New and not so new people are invited to meditate and be spiritually enriched on Saturday evenings at Taize in the Chapel of St John's. Next Taize on Saturday 28 June at 6:30pm. New and not so new people are encouraged to consider serving on the Parish Council. The AGM is on Friday 13 June at Palmyra Parish Hall at 5:45pm dinner and 7:00pm meeting. Fr Dennis |
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Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, John 15:1-8 We heard last Sunday that God is love, this week we are asked to abide in God's love. The eunuch in Acts 8 was embraced and welcomed and incorporated into the vine (Christ) and went away bearing fruit, overflowing with the divine love of God. We read in 1 John 4, that we are to love one another and that God is love and we are to abide in that love. The Gospel presented today, gives us the image of a vine. The vine is a recognized symbol of Israel and what it was called to be. The vine is also a sign of mutual indwelling, "abide in me and I in you." It is in this mutual indwelling or abiding that the life and the words of the Lord in whom he/she abides can find expression. We are the members of Christ's church, the branches, the limbs, whilst Jesus Christ is the head (the stem the root of the whole vine). Our spiritual sustenance and vital nourishment is drawn from the vine, but severed from the vine we cannot fully mature. Although we have been made members of Christ in baptism, it is possible that our love may still be shallow or feeble. It is necessary that we the members remain attached to the vine, so that the fruits, one of which is love, can grow. As Jesus abided in God in his earthly life, this is a model of the loving friendship and relationship we as Christians can adopt. John 15:9, "As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love." Robyn Mackie |
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Pure, generous and beautiful? The Church? Acts 4:5-12, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18 What say its Scriptures to us this week? Acts of the Apostles: It was disappointing for Peter to be pursued and hailed like a magician after the cripple's healing. It was unjust of the Council to stifle the wonder. Psalm 23: The poet shepherd owes his survival to the Good shepherd, God, yet still there are troubled waters, thieving enemies, while he genuinely makes God's business his business. John's Letter: It all seems a hard balance to keep: kerbing our enjoyment of things of this world, showing genuine affection for other people and keeping conscience-clear for facing the Lord with prayer requests. John's Gospel: It is bewildering to many how some shepherds (bishops, parish priests, child-workers, etc) let us down with double standards, rejection of minorities and sifting out of the miraculous from the "old, old story" of the Bible. Do we try to sort hired hands from the shepherds even now? I have been passed a timely, for me, quote from the desert-dweller and solitary Carlo Carretto: "How much I must criticize you, my church and yet how much I love you! You have made me suffer more than anyone and yet I owe to you more than anyone. I should like to see you destroyed and yet I need your presence. You have given me much scandal and yet you alone have made me understand holiness. Never in this world have I seen anything more compromised, more false, yet never have I touched anything more pure, more generous and more beautiful." Dear Reader, I trust you will be blessed with the same quiet conclusion. Fr Robin |
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Acts 3:12-20, 1 John 3:1-7, Luke 24:36b-48 The theme of the suffering Messiah continues in the Easter Season in the resurrection stories and early preaching of the 'Church'. In today's first reading we have a sample of the preaching of the early Church in Peter's address to the people. In this we are told that the prophets foretold that the Messiah would suffer, and in the gospel we have a repeat of the conversation with the two disciples on the road to Emmaus with Jesus explaining that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead. Suffering seems to be the inevitable consequence when goodness confronts those who refuse to move from their established beliefs and practices. Jesus came to bring a kingdom of law. Those who couldn't see past the law reacted to him-as people frightened of losing something due. What is important is that we see the suffering of Jesus as the consequences of human nature, not the result of God sending him so that he would suffer. The prophets foretold the Messiah's suffering because they understood human nature, not because they had insight and knowledge of God's will. Jesus in his suffering shows us a God who suffers with us and for us. 'That we should be called children of God.' Fr Glendon |
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Acts 4: 32-37, 1 John 1:1-9, John 20: 19-31, Mark 16:1-8 Jesus came and stood among them and said to his disciples 'Peace be with you!' The old Hebrew word Shalom speaks not only of an inner peace, or an agenda for peace in a warring world, but of a quality of life that includes and transcends both. Easter means (amidst much else) that peace, (never other than costly) has truly been won for us on the cross. The words - 'Peace by with you!' were uttered again by Jesus, then he commissioned the disciples saying. 'As the Father has sent me so I send you.' After Jesus showed them his hands and his side, he breathed on them, and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit - if you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them, if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.' The disciples rejoiced, though they disbelieved and were frightened at first. Then later Jesus stood among them again pronouncing, 'Peace be with you!' a third time. Thomas the doubter who was slow to believe unless he actually touched Jesus' wounds, believed also and answered 'My Lord and my God.' We too, like those disciples, (even in times of disbelief and doubt), though the power of the Holy Spirit, can rejoice as we catch a glimpse of the risen Christ, in our beautiful though wounded world. We are also commissioned as the first disciples were, to bring peace, love, hope, new life and forgiveness through the same Spirit, that can say, 'My Lord and my God!' Robyn Mackie |
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Isaiah 25:6-9, Acts 10:34-43, John 20:1-18 Compared to the alternatives, Yes!! Litigation and Greed - the
smart age of windfalls is upon us. Whether it is promotion of
products or propaganda for power, The journey through Lent has
been to grow in Faith, Our hope is to see the empty
tomb on Easter morning Each cross we bear in life is
carried through our faith, hope and Fr Dennis |
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On a Passionate Pursuit of Earthing and Dying Zechariah 9:9-17, Philippians 2:5-11; Mark 14:17-42 I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain. Jesus Prophet Zechariah envisaged a godly king being extraordinarily good for our earthy world. He is down-to-earth, humble and a peaceful rider of the donkey. The Psalmist today sees God as tirelessly loving to us but his heaven does have gate of uprightness and moral goodness, the sort of stuff of which the Temple's cornerstone would have been made, if the management would have allowed it. St Paul: You have the mind which was in Jesus, not proud but the soul filled up with love for God and other people. St Mark tells us Jesus in the garden just dropped to the earth, desperately sad, praying to his heavenly Father. His young life had been a simply passionate pursuit of the salvation of men and women who had lost the direction to God. To do it he was totally in touch with humanity and in dying for us bore immeasurable fruit. Postscript: Mother Superior of a convent in the North West of the U.K. has just written and closes, earthed to the War in Iraq for a moment: "So much comes our way, even in the monastic life, that I could not do any special writing for Easter. We have not reached the peak of suffering, so perhaps we are still in the Garden of oppression and sorrow." Fr Robin |
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Jeremiah 31:31-34, Hebrews 5:5-10, John 12:20-33 In Numbers 21 we read that the people of Israel complained, so God sent serpents to bite them and many died. Moses prayed for the people and the Lord told him to make a bronze serpent, set it on a pole and those who were bitten and looked at it would live. A strange story from a number of view points but it fits in with John's use of it in the Gospel in reference to Jesus being lifted up. It is broken down to say that salvation comes through seeing with faith. Today's Gospel also seems strange. Some Greeks wish to see Jesus but we aren't told whether they get to meet him or not. What the Gospel writer is saying is that the Greeks realise that they too need salvation and that this salvation from God is to be found in Jesus. It comes through seeing with faith. We don't know if they ever met Jesus because it doesn't matter. The point is that for John, seeing and believing is not a matter of physically seeing and then inwardly believing but rather believing and therefore 'seeing.' As Lent draws to its close we look to Jesus and begin to contemplate his passion as the great event of salvation history unforlds. Fr. Glendon |
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Numbers 21: 4+, Ephesians 2: 1+, John 3: 14+ The political issues of our times on the global scene appear to be a never ending spiralling of items to address. The media directs the propaganda amidst a crisis of concern, which raise our anxieties only to find that tomorrow the focus is in another direction. Information overload through breaking news on CNN cable television or the internet bulletins available through the World Wide Web still leaves one frustrated. Questions unsatisfactorily answered with 'political speak' in a time of so called 'political correctness.' Lent is a welcome call to step aside from the world and re-focus on our spiritual motivation by seeking the mind of God. What uncanny timing it was when the Little Brothers of Francis came amongst us and shared their life of prayer and devotion as we began our Lenten Journey. Brother Geoffrey and Brother Wayne followed the pattern of Saint Francis who called on his brothers to preach the gospel and only use words when you need to do so. Mid Lent Sunday provides the interlude of opportunity to seek, to reflect and ponder the presence of God expressed through Christ and experience the peace of God which passes all human understanding. A time to pray without words. Fr. Dennis |
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Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 "He told those who were selling doves, Jesus said, 'Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!'" (John 2:16) We don't often think of Jesus in a towering rage. Gentle Jesus meek and mild is much safer, more comfortable and comforting. But anger has been described as the other side of the coin of love. Jesus was burning with passion - "zeal" is the word used. So what was it that had provoked this rage? Jesus was going up to the Temple at the time of the Passover, that most precious time when Jewish people travelled long and weary miles to celebrate in all solemnity God's saving work of liberation in the Exodus. And Jesus found the forecourt of God's house being used as a marketplace to cheat and exploit the sincerity of the worshippers. It was an effort to the very core of religious belief. His overturning of the tables was not a polite, "Excuse me while I tip over your tables." This was a non-violent direct action of the most challenging kind. "Stop making my Father's house a marketplace!" Is that not exactly what we are doing to the temple of God's earth, as we ravage and plunder its riches, exploit the poor for profit and protect our interests with weapons of mass destruction? These things must surely anger us if we love God's world and such anger must surely inspire us to action. Martin Luther Kind said that non-violence exposes the underlying violence of society. It was when King began to challenge the Vietnam War and the scandal of inner-city poverty in the United States that he was assassinated. Jesus' actions turned the world upside down, so they plotted to kill him. (An excerpt from Lent Book 2003 - Jesus Way of Peace, which is still available from St John's Books). Robyn Mackie |
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What's God to do With Anything? Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 9:2-9 These lines are intended as a Leader to points of the Bible readings for this morning. 1) God is realised to have changed the spiritual old man Abram to Abraham, the extra sound in his name titling him ancestor of multitudes. 2) The Psalmist praises God as a listening God who really can make a difference to the fortunes of the afflicted. 3) Paul's complicated argument shows how Abraham was pre-eminantly a man of faith who trusted God. It was this quality of relationship with God which makes Abraham "father of us all", whatever our race or inheritance. Think, now. Have you even had the Glory of God stop you in your tracks? Many souls give Church a go but they do have difficulty believing that God intervenes in human life. So! ... 4) Today Mark features God's gift of a window into Heaven for Jesus' lieutenant apostles, Peter, James and John. After the death of Jesus, Peter told young journalist Mark. Out came his shorthand pencil and there we are. Well! What was your event when Someone working at a higher plane impacted on your life? Remember, add the others and experience and faith will naturally mix! Readings are astonishingly well rendered in our two churches yet still a few in the audience fail to find them to be a window into anything. These front page Leaders often help. They are hoped to lead you on to your own little mountain shared with so many dozens of holy people transfigured by the Glory of God and recorded for our encouragement. Fr Robin |
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Genesis 9:8-17, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Mark 1:9-15 Along with the discipline of worship there are a number of other disciplines which the Church suggests we observe in keeping a Holy Lent. The Gospel for Ash Wednesday mentions prayer, fasting and alms giving. These have been expanded to include self examination and repentance, prayer and fasting, self denial and acts of generosity, reading and meditating on the word of God. The focus of these disciplines is largely personal but their practice should lead us to think globally, not only through our acts of generosity but also in our prayers and concern for the world. These practices have also changed through time. Rather than confess a list of sins to be avoided we look at our inner life and motives behind our behaviour. In a busy world the first thing of importance ith prayer is that when we are praying we are not doing anything else. Fasting leads to an altered and euphoric state of consciousness but puts our health and safety at risk so abstinence and self denial are more fitting. Bible reading and meditating can now be enhanced with the many commentaries and devotions which are available to us. So - Lent can be different and meaningful if we make it holy. Fr Glendon |
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Hosea 2:14+, 2 Corinthians 3:1+, Mark 2:13+ HMAS Perth and USS Houston, 54th Annual Memorial Service Today we commemorate the sinking of the HMAS Perth and the USS Houston in the Sundra Straits 61 years ago. The Survivors have held a service every year to remember those who served on those ships. We welcome the Survivors and the Naval Peronnel from the US and Australian Navies at the 11.00am Service. Little Brothers of St Francis Brother Wayne and Brother Geoffrey conclude their 3 days with us today in the Parish of Fremantle. Next weekend they move to St Michael and All Angels at Cannington in George Street off the Albany Highway. Perhaps you'd like to meet a group of friends in Perth who keep in contact with them. The Perth Friends of the Little Brothers raised $2000 at the stall last Friday - Brother Geoffrey assisted. Contact Fr Dennis or Maxine Wolff, 9335 6981. The Little Brothers have launched us into a preparation for Easter which begins this Ash Wednesday, March 5. Don't forget Shrove Tuesday for pancakes in the Square from 10.00am. Fr Dennis |
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Every one of God's promises is a "Yes" - 2 Cor. 20 Isaiah 43:18+, 2 Corinthians 1:16+, Mark 2:1+ Many of the things that happen in life we don't fully understand unless we experience them ourselves. We hear of "experiential" learning which has grown out of generations of teachers keeping in mind the saying, "I hear, I forget, I see, I remember, I do, I understand". Like an echo from Advent, our first reading today promises good things happening for God's people. Even their failings would be blotted out. The promises of God, including forgiveness are all there in the Old Testament but Jesus had to come to show their reality. Jesus demonstrates and teaches that God's promises are not just nice ideas but that they work. God's love, healing and forgiveness are with us to experience. This coming weekend we have the wonderful opportunity to spend time with the Little Brothers of St Francis to let them share their faith journeys with us and their experiences of God at work in their lives. Fr Glendon |
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Healing, Preaching and Serving Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Mark 1:29-39 God was able to bring about a new salvation even in the worst possible circumstances - the Exile. It is impossible to say, - "our way is hidden from God" - for God is never indifferent to us or to our situation. Today's psalm is a Song of Praise - "it is good to sing praises to God", and so it is, in whatever circumstances. Paul emphasized his desire to be obedient to God's will, he chose to relinquish personal freedom in order to be as effective as possible in service. His own needs were less important to him than the integrity of the gospel. Jesus also chose to heal, to touch a woman stricken down by sickness. He was prompted to heal rather than to eat. He knew what he had come for - not comfort, sustenance or company, but to preach the good news, to heal, and to serve. His touch mediated power and the woman immediately began to serve Jesus. Jesus continues to bring liberation to persons in need of hearing the good news of God's love - an ongoing mission for us in the Church. Robyn Mackie |
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Malachi 3:1-4, Hebrews 2:14-18, Luke 2:22-40 Bush Fires - People, animals, wildlife, property and homes have been lost in tragedies across the nation. The worst hit areas have been the 550 homes in Canberra. The most devastating fires in our history. The Archbishop writes that "the Bishop of Canberra/Goulburn, George Browning said that the speed of the fire has left some suburbs with nothing at all on some house blocks, even the charcoal has gone so that the area looks like a deserted moonscape." Anglicare is receiving donations to this Bushfire Appeal. phone 02 6230 5113 or PO Box 1981, Canberra ACT 2601. Rev'd Nancy Scott - (Royal Perth Hospital) was critically injured when a wall collapsed on her and the pastoral assistant two months ago. The Archbishop has asked for continued prayers as a preliminary form of consciousness has been a sign of some progress. Diocesan Year of the Child - Today 2 February the Diocesan Service in St George's Cathedral at 3pm for 1/2-hour service and 1/2-hour party. Southern Region Year of Confirmation - Bp David is encouraging confirmation candidates for a year of refocus on spiritual development. A reminder that the Dean of Jerusalem - Ross Jones is also speaking on the Middle East Crisis at 12.30pm Saturday 15 February 2003 at Wollaston College. $10 includes lunch and lecture. Please phone the office for transport arrangements. Lent and Little Brothers of Francis. How you can join the Brothers in Fremantle - Friday 28 February, 7pm St John's Church - Meet the Friars in the transept, teatime/talk, broth and bread and beverage supplied. Saturday 1 March 9am-12pm St John's Church - Bring food to share, tea and coffee breaks - Prayer and platter. Sunday 2 March, 8am St John's and 9:15am Sts Peter and Mark's - Exploring a Life of Prayer. Don't forget the stall at St John's on 21 February and, at the end of their visit, a Farewell Feast at Fishing Boat Harbour. Fr Dennis |
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Deuteronomy 28:1-9, Romans 13:1-8, Mark 12:13-17 The celebration of Australia Day seems to have two foci; the celebration of the land and the celebration of life here. Our island continent may not have anything like the traditional seven wonders of the world but it certainly has many wonders and fascinations of its own which we can be thankful for and delight in. We can also delight in the diversity of its people. We, or our ancestors, have all sought refuge here from the time, about seventy thousand years ago, when we were attached Asia. Our diversity and unity are reflected in tonight's Ecumenical Evensong in St John's, annually conducted by the Australian Irish Heritage Association in a different venue each year. For many, the beach, a barbeque and fireworks will be their celebration. To this we add our prayers and thanks: God, bless Australia Fr Glendon |
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1 Samuel 3:1-10; 1 Corinthians 6:12-20; John 1:43-51 Eli, in the Old Testament reading, perceived that God was calling Samuel. He taught Samuel how to listen and respond. A gentle repeated call learnt in a night, sustained him throughout a lifetime. The psalmist is aware that God's presence is everywhere. It is not to be feared or avoided, but embraced. Christ would have us live in a responsible relationship with him and with each other so as not to abuse God's grace, as seen in the Epistle. Ultimately it is Jesus Christ who brings all to faith. As God called Samuel, and as Jesus called his disciples so he calls us to respond to His initiative. By listening to God's word in the scriptures we too are asked to keep our eyes wide open, "come see," what greater things He is about in our lives, in the lives of others and in our world today. Robyn Mackie |
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Isaiah 60:1+, Ephesians 3:1+, Luke 2:22+ Jesus, standing in Jordan, his eyes once fixed on John the Baptiser, saw the Holy Spirit as though descending like a dove on Him and a voice ... "You are my Son, the Beloved: with you I am well pleased." The same Spirit, down the ages, has been and still is, the guide and protector of the Mystical Body of Christ, the Church. The Spirit was guide and protector of the Church at Palestine through many villages and treading countless dusty roads. All Christians are under the Spirit's influence and guidance, if we all will but take it (sometimes pronounced Him). After all we were baptised drenched with Christ. We died to ourselves and now we conscientiously, spiritually and courageously recognise that. We are submerged in the cleansing waters so to rise to new life. Aren't we? We all admire self-made men and women. However, a lot of them would fail to recognise much of the language above. I'll put it this way: This "Baptism of our Lord" Day, we recall amazing gifts combine with simply blessed humility which allow, from the outside of self, the participation of the Holy Spirit of God in our lives. For what purpose? That we may have the joy of pleasing God? Well? What DOES please Him? Seeing us upholding vows, ones sealed with allegiance to the Cross and our lives as disciples of Christ. We call the Lord our Redeemer. We participated with Him in, our redemption, with repentance; in the saving of others, we help with a working knowledge of God's Word and present some live role-play of how the Spirit yearns to work in their lives, too. "The Way to Go," you'd say? ... and God says, "I'm SO pleased with you!" Fr Robin |
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We have come to pay him homage Isaiah 60:1+, Ephesians 3:1+, Luke 2:22+ Leo the Great wrote: 'Dearly beloved, the day on which Christ first showed himself to the Gentiles as the Saviour of the world should be held in holy reverence amongst us.' Matthew's Gospel gives us the story of the Magi coming in search of the new born king of the Jews. The writer's purpose is to give 'an honourable public appearance to the potentially embarrassing circumstances of Jesus' Conception.' (Pilch J) Mediterranean people have a very porous boundary line between reality and appearance, fact and impressions. The appearance or impression is always considered more significant than reality or the fact. this is driven by that culture's concern for honour, that is, public recognition and affirmation of proclaimed worth. However, whatever the basis for the story might be, Leo's response to it is meaningful. He continues, 'We should experience in our hearts the same joy as the three wise men felt when the sign of the new star led them into the presence of the King of heaven and earth and they gazed in adoration upon the one in whose promised coming they had put their faith!' and 'God's bounty toward us has been multiplied so that even in our own times we daily experience the grace which belonged to those first beginnings!' Fr Glendon |
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